SANDRACER.COM - 2007 Epsom Derby Form Pointers

2007 Epsom Derby Clues & Form Pointers

There are likely to be plenty of Vodafone Derby clues on offer this week, as the Flat turf season really starts to click into gear with the Craven Meeting at Newmarket this week on Wednesday and Thursday, April 18 & 19.

Newmarket's opening day card features the Listed Connaught Access Flooring Feilden Stakes over nine furlongs, for which eight runners have been declared, five of whom hold an entry in the Epsom Classic on June 2.

The Sir Michael Stoute trained Al Shemali scored readily at Newcastle on his second start last term, while Petara Bay, from the Terry Mills stable, was last seen running behind Authorized in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Newbury. Massive, Hearthstead Maison and Salford Mill are also on trial for the Vodafone Derby.

Erhaab, the 1994 Vodafone Derby hero, finished runner-up in the Feilden Stakes previously, while Twist And Turn and Border Arrow have both taken the Newmarket contest before going on to perform very well at Epsom.

The opening race on Newmarket's Wednesday card, the 10-furlong Xplor Maiden Stakes, sees five Vodafone Derby entries go to post, including Broomielaw, runner-up at Newmarket on his only outing last season and owned by Lady Ferguson, wife of Manchester United manager Sir Alex. Arabian Gulf, Rhaam, Spice Route and The Carlton Cannes will also be out to put themselves in the frame for Epsom.

Commander In Chief took this prize back in 1993 en route to Epsom Classic glory, while Greek Dance was successful in 1998 and progressed to run fifth behind High-Rise in Flat racing's blue riband.

Another fascinating Vodafone Derby testing ground at Newmarket on Thursday, April 19, is the Group Three Banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes. Adagio, as low as 16/1 for the Vodafone-sponsored Classic, could represent Sir Michael Stoute, while Big Robert, Asperity, Brave Tin Soldier, Broghill, Champery and Yazamaan are all Derby entries.

Newbury hosts its first Flat meeting of the 2007 season on Friday and Saturday, April 20 & 21, and one of the most interesting races on the first day card in terms of potential Vodafone Derby pointers is the closing Peter Smith Memorial Maiden Stakes.

Last year's renewal witnessed a fine debut performance from the Michael Jarvis-trained Hala Bek, who showed too many gears for Geoff Wragg's Dragon Dancer.

At Epsom subsequently, Dragon Dancer found only Sir Percy a short-head too strong in a pulsating finish, while Hala Bek, who finished fourth, would almost certainly have gone close to winning but for veering badly right inside the final 100 yards. The trio of Arabian Gulf, Hesivorthedriver and Rock "N" Roller would be hoping to advertise their Classic claims at Newbury.

Also at Newbury on Friday is the 10-furlong Dubai Duty Free Gold World Cup Conditions Stakes. John Gosden's Asperity - a general 33/1 chance for Epsom - the unbeaten Boscobel, trained by Mark Johnston, and the Mick Channon trained Go On Be A Tiger, successful on his sole start at two, all hold entries in the Vodafone Derby, along with Kid Mambo and Pippa Greene.

Let The Lion Roar, the 2004 winner of this race, went on to finish an excellent third to North Light in the Vodafone Derby.